Bertram 38′ Convertible Boat in Puerto & Nuevo Vallarta

The best part of this private Bertram cruise is the freedom to shape your day on Banderas Bay. You can spend time sightseeing along Puerto Vallarta’s shore, stop at rocks filled with wildlife for snorkeling, or build in fishing and kayaking. The boat holds up to eight people, so the cost makes more sense for a family or small group than for one or two passengers.

I like the flexible four to eight-hour format, since you can choose a short half-day outing or allow more time for swimming and fishing. I also like that snorkels, fishing gear, bottled water, and chopped fruit are supplied, so you do not need to pack a full boatload of gear.

The main drawback is that the $800 price is per group, not per person, and the tour does not include hotel pickup, drop-off, or towels. You will get the best value with a full group, and you should arrange your own way to the departure point.

Key points to know before booking

• Private 38-foot Bertram boat: Your group has the boat to itself, with space for up to eight people.
• A flexible four to eight hours: Choose a shorter sightseeing cruise or leave room for more fishing, kayaking, and snorkeling.
• Wildlife-rich snorkeling stop: The outing includes a stop at a rocky area where you can see wildlife above and below the water.
• Good activity mix: Fishing, kayaking, snorkeling, and coastal sightseeing give your group several ways to spend the day.
• Simple supplies included: Snorkeling equipment, fishing gear, bottled water, and chopped fruit are provided.
• Strong overall rating: The experience has a 4.7 rating from 46 reviews, with 93 percent of customers recommending it.

Setting out on Banderas Bay

This is a private boat day on Banderas Bay, the broad body of water along Puerto Vallarta and Nuevo Vallarta. Instead of following a fixed group schedule, you and your companions can use the boat for a mix of sightseeing and water activities.

The boat is a Bertram 38 Convertible, a sizable vessel for a private outing. With a maximum of eight people, it should suit a family, a group of friends, or several couples who want time together without sharing the boat with strangers.

That private setup changes the feel of the excursion. You do not have to match the pace of a large group. If some people want to fish while others prefer to snorkel, the captain and crew can help shape the day around those interests. The exact balance depends on your group and the conditions on the bay.

The tour is offered in English, though it may also operate with a multilingual guide. Confirmation arrives when you book, and the mobile ticket makes it practical to keep your booking details on your phone.

Puerto Vallarta from the water

The first part of the outing is shoreline sightseeing around Puerto Vallarta. From the boat, you get a different view of the city than you would from a street, beach, or hotel terrace.

The coast gives you a chance to take in Puerto Vallarta’s position beside the bay, with the water opening out beyond the city. This is not a formal city tour with a long list of monuments and historical stops. It is a relaxed look at the shoreline, best suited to people who want to enjoy the coast rather than sit through a detailed lecture.

I would treat this section as a scenic introduction and a chance to settle into the boat. Bring your camera, but also keep your plans loose. The point is to see Puerto Vallarta from the water and enjoy the change of pace.

If sightseeing is your only goal, the four-hour option may be enough. If your group wants to fish, kayak, and snorkel as well, the longer eight-hour format gives you a more comfortable schedule. You will not need to rush from one activity to the next.

The rocky snorkeling stop

The most active part of the route is a stop at a set of rocks filled with wildlife. Here, you can snorkel and look beneath the surface, while also enjoying the views above the water.

The description does not promise a particular fish species or reef, so I would avoid booking this as a specialist wildlife expedition. Conditions can affect visibility and marine life. Still, the rocky setting gives the stop a clear purpose: you are not simply stopping in open water, but heading to an area suited to seeing life around the rocks.

Snorkeling equipment is included, which saves you from renting a mask and snorkel separately. You should still bring a swimsuit, and remember that towels are not supplied. A quick-drying cover-up or spare clothing may be useful after you get back on board.

This is also the point where comfort matters. The required dress is beach casual, with soft shoes and no heels. Soft footwear is practical on a boat deck, while heels are unsafe and out of place. If only some people in your party plan to swim, the others can enjoy the views from above the water.

Fishing, kayaking, and time on board

Fishing gear is included, making fishing one of the main reasons to choose this boat over a basic sightseeing cruise. The information provided does not specify the target species, fishing method, or whether a fishing license is needed, so ask for those details before you commit if fishing is your main goal.

Kayaking is also part of the activity mix. One family of seven especially enjoyed kayaking during its trip, which gives you a useful sense of how the boat can work for a mixed-interest group. Some people can kayak or snorkel while others fish or relax.

The reviews also describe a six-hour trip that included a stop at Ocean Grill. That suggests there can be room for a customized day, but you should confirm any restaurant stop, meal arrangement, or extra charge before booking. The standard included food is chopped fruit, not a full meal.

I like this mix because it keeps the day from becoming one long stretch of sitting. Still, a private boat is not an amusement park ride with a fixed menu of activities. Your experience will depend on what your group chooses, the weather, and the time available.

What the $800 group price really means

The listed price is $800 per group of up to eight people. At a full eight passengers, that works out to $100 per person. For six people, it is about $133 each, and for four people, about $200 each.

That makes the value strongest for a full group. A family of seven or a group of friends can split the cost and enjoy a private boat, included gear, bottled water, and fruit. For only two people, the same price becomes much harder to justify unless privacy and a custom schedule matter more to you than keeping costs low.

The price also covers more than a simple boat ride. You are paying for a private vessel, crew, sightseeing, fishing equipment, snorkeling equipment, and access to a day that can include several activities. It does not cover hotel transportation, towels, or any meal beyond the supplied fruit.

The reviews give the strongest praise to the crew and service. One group specifically described the captain and crew as fantastic after arranging a custom six-hour trip. Another group of three couples enjoyed the staff, snorkeling, and food service throughout the outing. A family of seven also felt the service, entertainment, and kayaking made the day worth the money.

Those comments point to the main value here: not just getting from one place to another, but having a crew help organize a private day for your own group. Just remember that the price is fixed, so a smaller party pays more per person.

How long should you book?

The tour lasts about four to eight hours. Four hours should work well if you want shoreline sightseeing and one main water activity, such as snorkeling or fishing.

Six hours is a useful middle ground for a group that wants several activities without spending the entire day on the boat. The custom six-hour outing with an Ocean Grill stop shows how this length can allow room for a meal or added stop, though you need to confirm the arrangement directly.

Eight hours suits people who want a full day on the bay. It gives your group more breathing room for fishing, kayaking, snorkeling, sightseeing, and breaks. It also makes the $800 price easier to accept because you have more time to use the private boat.

I would choose the shortest option only if your group has a clear plan. If everyone wants something different, a longer booking is safer. It gives the crew more room to adjust the schedule instead of forcing every activity into a tight half-day.

Who will enjoy this private boat most?

This outing is a good fit for families and friend groups who want several activities in one day. It is also useful for groups with mixed interests. One person can fish, another can snorkel, and someone else can enjoy the coast from the deck.

The boat holds up to eight people, so it suits a small gathering better than a solo booking. Children must be accompanied by an adult, and most people can participate. Service animals are allowed.

I would also consider this tour if you value privacy. A private activity means only your group participates, which gives you more control over the pace and atmosphere. That matters for families with different energy levels, couples traveling together, or friends who want a social day without sharing a boat with a larger crowd.

It may be less suitable if you want a detailed cultural tour of Puerto Vallarta, a guaranteed fishing catch, or a specialist marine biology experience. The focus is a flexible day on the water, not a tightly scripted educational program.

Practical details that can affect your day

There is no hotel pickup or drop-off, so you must make your own way to the departure point. The area is near public transportation, which gives you another option if you are not arriving by car.

Wear beach-casual clothing, a swimsuit if you plan to swim or snorkel, and soft shoes. Do not wear heels. Since towels are not included, bring your own if you need one after the water activities.

Bottled water and chopped fruit are supplied. The fruit is useful as a light snack, but you should not assume it replaces lunch, especially on an eight-hour trip. If you want a restaurant stop such as Ocean Grill, confirm the details before the day of departure.

The experience requires good weather. If poor weather causes a cancellation, you will be offered another date or a full refund. You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time. After that point, the amount paid is not refunded, and changes made within 24 hours are not accepted.

If you are arriving by cruise ship, plan carefully. A missed tour caused by a late or absent cruise ship does not qualify for a refund. This is an important point for cruise passengers, who should allow a generous margin between ship arrival and the boat departure.

My take on the crew and service

Service is the strongest theme in the available feedback. The captain and crew receive repeated praise, and the groups described the staff as attentive during sightseeing, snorkeling, food service, and other activities.

One party of six couples had used the experience before and booked it again, which suggests the private format can work well for repeat visitors who already know they want a boat day. A family group also felt the service and entertainment added real value.

The information does not provide the names of the captain or crew, so I cannot point you to a specific guide. The tour may be operated by a multilingual guide, but English is the stated language. If your group needs another language, ask before booking rather than assuming it will be available.

Should you book the Bertram 38 cruise?

Book it if you have a group of four to eight people, want a private boat, and like the idea of mixing sightseeing with fishing, kayaking, and snorkeling. The strongest reasons are the flexible length, included equipment, wildlife stop, and crew-led service.

Think twice if you have only one or two passengers, since the $800 group price becomes expensive per person. You should also choose another type of excursion if you want a guaranteed catch, a formal Puerto Vallarta history tour, or a full meal included.

For a family or group of friends willing to split the cost, this is a practical way to spend a half-day or full day on Banderas Bay. Bring towels, wear soft shoes, confirm any custom restaurant stop, and leave enough time if you are arriving from a cruise ship.

FAQ

How much does the Bertram boat tour cost?

The tour costs $800 per group, with up to eight people allowed.

How long does the experience last?

The outing lasts approximately four to eight hours.

Is this a private tour?

Yes. Only your group participates in the private tour or activity.

What activities are available?

You can enjoy shoreline sightseeing, snorkeling, fishing, and kayaking.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Snorkeling equipment is included.

Is fishing equipment included?

Yes. Fishing gear is included.

Are food and drinks included?

Bottled water and chopped fruit are included. A full meal is not listed as a standard inclusion.

Is hotel pickup provided?

No. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included.

Should I bring a towel?

Yes. Towels are not included.

What should I wear?

Wear beach-casual clothing, soft shoes, and a swimsuit if you plan to swim or snorkel. Heels are not allowed.

Can children join the tour?

Yes, but children must be accompanied by an adult.

What happens if bad weather cancels the tour?

You will be offered another date or a full refund if poor weather causes the cancellation.

What is the cancellation policy?

You can cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the start time are not accepted, and the payment is not refunded.

Is the tour suitable for cruise ship passengers?

It can be, but refunds are not issued if you miss the experience because your cruise ship is late or does not arrive.